Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2006-07: Linden Vey was drafted by Medicine Hat in the second round of the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. Played in two games for the Medicine Hat Tigers, picking up just two penalty minutes in those games.

2007-08: Vey played in 48 games for the Tigers, scoring eight goals and adding nine assists to go along with 21 penalty minutes. He was a +6 for the season. Played in five playoff games for the Tigers, picking up one assist and two penalty minutes in the series.

2008-09: Vey improved on his rookie season, playing in 71 games for the Tigers. He netted 24 goals and added 48 assists while logging 20 penalty minutes. Vey finished with a -2 rating for the season. He played in 11 playoff games for the Tigers, scoring two goals and adding five assists.

2010-11: Vey led the WHL and all of Canadian junior hockey in scoring in his fourth season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He scored 46 goals with 70 assists in 69 games and had a +37 plus/minus (second only to Anaheim prospect Emerson Etem ( +41) amongst Tigers’ skaters). Medicine Hat reached the WHL playoff semifinals after finishing second in the Central division and in 15 playoff games Vey scored 12 goals with 13 assists and was +7 with 8 PMs. Six of his 12 goals were scored on the power play. Vey was selected to the WHL’s First All-Star Team and was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by Los Angeles in May 2011.

2011-12: Vey made the jump from junior to pro hockey as a 20-year old — skating in 74 games for Kings AHL affiliate Manchester and finishing as the Monarchs’ third-leading scorer. He scored 19 goals with 24 assists and was plus-five with 16 penalty minutes. Manchester finished second in the Atlantic Division and lost to Norfolk three games to one in a first round playoff series. Vey was the leading scorer for the Monarchs in the Norfolk series with 2 goals and 4 assists and had an even plus/minus. Vey spent the Stanley Cup playoffs with the Kings as one of the “Black Aces” but did not see any game action.

2012-13: Vey was the leading scorer for Kings AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, in his second pro season. He scored 22 goals with 45 assists in 74 games and was +18 with 32 penalty minutes. The Monarchs finished third in the Atlantic Division and lost to Springfield in a first round playoff series.Vey scored 2 goals and was -1 with 4 penalty minutes in four playoff games.

Talent Analysis

The Wakaw, Saskatchewan native is of average size and weight, but delivers above average results in most facets of the game. He is a leader and a grit player who inspires with a solid work ethic. His continued improvement in all three zones and special teams play has helped him raise his stock as a legitimate two-way center option.

Future

Vey has capitalized on the tremendous opportunity he has had with the Manchester Monarchs being the teams No. 1 center and go-to penalty kill and powerplay option in 2012-13. While he has benefited from tremendous linemates in Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, Vey has held his own and might be a good AHL stint away from cracking the NHL level.

Share this story

Photo: Forward Linden Vey started the 2014-15 season strong, with nine points through his first 18 games. Vey was traded in the offseason from the Los Angeles Kings to the Vancouver Canucks. (courtesy of Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Welcome to the first edition of On the Rush for the 2014-15 season. For those unfamiliar, On the Rush focuses on prospects at various levels of competition who exceeded expectations or fell behind a bit in the past month.

Share this story

Photo: Bo Horvat is transitioning from the OHL to the AHL in 2014-15. He is still looking to record his first point after five games. (courtesy of Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

With the Vancouver Canucks entering something of a mini-rebuild, they have built up a pipeline of extremely talented young centers that are nearly on the cusp of being ready for the NHL. While the NHL squad’s top talent is slowly aging and settling more into the latter stages of their careers, the Canucks have many players who are going to be considered cornerstones of the franchise waiting just on the other side.

Share this story

Photo: Hunter Shinkaruk (L) will look to join Linden Vey (R) in the Vancouver lineup at some point in 2015-16. (courtesy of Kathleen Hinkel/Icon Sportswire)

Although 2013-14 was a trying and turbulent season for the Vancouver Canucks, the team appears poised to re-establish itself as a playoff contender this year. Part of that optimism is attributable to the team’s depth, bolstered by having two first-round picks in both the 2013 and 2014 NHL Drafts.

Share this story

Photo: Jake Virtanen was a point-per-game player for the Calgary Hitmen in 2013-14. He was the sixth overall selection of the 2014 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Derek Leung/Getty Images)

For all intents and purposes, the 2014 NHL Draft table was a flurry of activity for the Vancouver Canucks and had immediate impact on their top 20 prospects. They were, amongst other areas of improvement, able to draft arguably their best left winger in 15 years and their best goaltender in 10 years.

Share this story

Photo: Winger Valentin Zykov, the 37th overall selection in 2013, was the Kings’ top pick last summer. The Stanley Cup champs still have their 2014 first round pick, slotted at 29th overall (courtesy of Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images)

Even though the 2013-14 season that saw the Los Angeles Kings wrap up their second championship in three seasons just ended less than a few weeks ago, it is already time to think about the future.